Automatic swing-wheel car-truck.



PATBNTBD JUNE 16. 1903.

J. O. HOSHOR. AUTOMATIC SWING WHEEL OAR TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

PATENTED JUNE 16, 1903.

- J; c. HOSHOR. y

AUTOMATIC SWING WHEEL OAR TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1902,

2 3HEETS-SHEBT 2.

' WEE-Imam.

2 .&

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented June 16, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC SWING-WHEEL CAR-TRUCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731-,053, dated June 16, 1903.

Application filed July 22,1902. Serial l lo-116,550. (No model.)

To all whmn it ntay concern:

Be it known that I,J OSEPH CARPER HOSHOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paterson, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Swing- Wheel Oar-Trucks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that type of cartrucks embodying a swing mounting for the individual wheel-axles, and has special reference to an improvement in this class of trucks to provide for the automatic and positive movement of the individual wheel-axles into radial positions when the truck is operating around curves of short radius.

A special object of the invention is to provide certain practical and efiective'improvements in the mounting of the wheel-carrying axles, whereby the car-truck will operate around short-radius curves on an absolutely level plane without the-elevation or raising of the outside wheel.

It is a fact well known to railway engineers that in order to provide for the passing of cars around short-radius curves with aminimum amount of friction and without strain upon the car and truck structure it is necessary for the wheels to stand in such positions on the curve that lines drawn through the centers of the axles will occupy true radial positions with reference to the curve and intersected at a common radial point. Hence provision must be made in the construction of car-trucks whereby the wheel-axles will take true radial positions on the curves, and the flanges of the wheels operating against the rails will cause the selfeadjustment or pivotal movement which throws the wheel-can rying axles into said radial positions.

In the carrying out of the invention the same contemplates such a mounting of the individual wheel-axles thatthe trucks will operate around curves of 'very short radius on an absolutely level plane, as contradistinguished from that type of car-trucks in which the outside wheels are elevated and adapted to run on thefianges thereof in passing around the curves.

It is a well-known expedient in the art to have car-trucks which operate on short-radius curves so arranged as to have the flanges of the outside wheels elevated on and running upon a rail around the curves, so as to increase the diameter of the outside wheels suifitake a curve of any radius and the wheels will at all times run on the tread and at the same time operate on a level plane without undue friction.

The invention also has in view a novel mounting of the individual wheel-carrying 6 axles of special utility in the construction of a four-wheel truck. A four-wheel truck with a swinging movement for the individual wheel-carrying axles, as contemplated by the present invention, possesses many important the reason that the two axles and sets of wheels, can be adapted to a longer wheel-base when mounted in the manner contemplated, so as to automatically take their radial positions on curves and on a level plane;

With these and many other objects in view, which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sameconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as

will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved in the novel swing orking pin mounting of the individual wheel-carrying axles and the elements associated therewith to provide for the cushioned hanging of the truck or base frame upon the axles are necessarily susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention; but a preferred embodiment of the latter is shown in 5 the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan viewot a four-wheel car-truck constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. cross-sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the king-pin or pivotal mounting for the individual wheel-carrying axles, the section be- Fig. 3 is a the wheel-axle mounting.

ing on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the same mounting, the section being on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4..

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the invention the essential features thereof may obviously be preserved in connection with any approved or suitable construction of truck or base frame, and the various details of frame structure may be changed or modified to suit any special conditions without affecting the invention; but for the purpose of exemplifying the particular improvements constituting the present invention the latter are shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes as associated with a simple type of truck-frame. Referring particularly to the drawings, said truck-frame is illustrated as essentially consisting of the opposite longitudinal side beams 1 and a plurality of cross-beams 2 3, connecting the side beams 1 at spaced intervals and riveted or otherwise rigidly fastened thereto to provide a complete rigid frame structure constituting the base upon which the car-body rests and the frame which carries the various parts of Inasmuch as the invention contemplates a truck of the fourwheel type, the cross-beams constituting a part of the main frame structure are arranged in separate pairs 2 3, respectively, at opposite sides of thetransverse center of the frame, and as both pairs of cross-beams 2 3 are associated with duplicate mountings for the separate axles a detail description of one set of mountings will suffice for the other. The side and cross beams of the frame structure are preferably of the angled type, and in connection with the mounting of each individual wheel-carrying axle there is associated with the truck-frame the oppositely-arranged pairs of pendent hanger-brackets at 4. The said pendent hanger-brackets 4 are preferably of angled formation, essentially consisting of the side plate members 5 and the end Wall members 6, disposed at substantially right angles to each other, whereby the upper end portions of the brackets may register within the corners of the frame-section or frame-inclosure provided by the intersection and connection of each pair 2 3 of cross-beams with the side beams 1 of the main truck-frame. To provide a strong and intimate connection between the pen dent angled hanger-brackets t and the frame, the upper end portions of said brackets fitting within the frame section or inclosure referred to are widened and riveted or otherwise rigidly fastened along the inner sides of the side Deaths 1, as well as of the pair of cross-beams 2 3, as may be plainly seen from Fig. 1 of the drawings; but below their attached upper widened end portions the said pendent hanger-brackets 4: are narrowed and provided at their lower ends with inwardly-curved arms 7, constituting the attaching or connecting terminals for the memhers cooperating with the axle-mounting,,as will be presently referred to. In connection with the narrowed formation of the hangerbraokets 4 and the arms 7 thereof it should be observed at this point that the said brackets may properly be said to be arranged in opposite side pairs 4 4,inasmuch as each side pair of said brackets cooperates directly with the oppositely-located boxes for the end portions of the axles, and the inward curvingof the arms 7 of each pair 4 1 of the hanger-brackets provides for a' more eflective hanging of the truck upon the axles and a greater freedom of play for the latter and the parts directly cooperating therewith, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art.

Each axle 8 carries upon the opposite extremities thereof the usual car-wheels 9, having the flanges 10 thereof disposed at their inner sides, so that the flanges of both wheels of each axle will travel at the inner side of the track-rails, thus insuring the permanent bearing of the wheel-treads upon the rails and the engagement of the flanges with the rails to insure the adjustment or movement of the axle to compel it to assume the proper radial position While the truck is passing around curves.

The present invention contemplates asso' ciating with each Wheel-carrying axle 8 the oppositely-located axle-boxes 11, arranged to receive the opposite end portions of the axle 8 and disposed at the inner sides ofthe wheels 9 thereof. The said axle-boxes 11 may be constructed in anyapproved manner, but for illustrative purposes are illustrated as consisting of blocks having openings to receive the end portions of the axle.

An important feature of the invention resides in associating with each of the axleboxes 11 what may be characterized as a floating cushion-bolster 12. Each floating cushion-bolster 12 essentially consists of an expanded or widened plate constituting a movable cap or top above each axle-box and arranged to have a perfectly free vertical movement to cushion and sustain the weight of the truck frame or base and the car-body thereon. To insure the maintenance of each bolster in a true working plane, the same is preferably provided therein with a plurality of guide-openings 13, loosely receiving a corresponding series or group of guide stems or studs 14, projected rigidly and integrally from the upper side of the axle-boxes 11. A series or group of four guiding-stems 14 are illustrated in the drawings; but it is obvious that any suitable number of properly-distributed guiding stems and openings may be utilized on connection with this part of the truck structure.

To provide for the cushioned support of the fioatingbolster 12,tl1ere is interposed between the same and the top of the axle-box therebelow aplurality of coiled cushioning-springs 15. These cushioning-springs are preferably arranged upon the stems 14 and have their opposite ends seated in the spring seats or recesses 16 and 17, formed, respectively, in the opposing faces or sides of the axle-box and the floating bolster thereover.

The floating cushioned bolsters provide for the cushion or spring support of the truckframe, and an effective connection is provided through the medium of the flexible hangers 18. These flexible hangers are preferably in the form of short stout chains having a pivotal connection at their lower ends, as at 19, with the extremities of the bracket-arms 7 and at their upper ends having a corresponding connection 20 with the attaching-bolts 21, mounted in the bolt-ears 22, projected from opposite ends or sides of the bolsterplates. These hangers or hanger chains therefore provide for directly suspending the truckframe from the bolsters or bolsterplates, while at the same time permitting a free play or movement for the bolsters'as they may be carried to difierent angular positious with the wheel-carrying axle mounted in the axle-boxes 11.

Another distinctive feature of the invention resides in the king-pin or pivotal mounting of theindividual axles 8. A part of this mounting consistsof the employment of a bearing-beam or bearing-frame member 23, associated with each pair 2 3 of the cross beams. The bearing beam or frame member 23 consists of a substantially straight fiat bar or plate necessarily having a certain amount of resiliency by reason of being supported only at its extremities, and hence not interfering with but contributing to the cushioned hanging or support of the truck-frame from the bolsters 12. The said beam or frame member 23 is arranged centrally between the side beams l of the truck-frame and is disposed in parallelism thereto, and the same is preferably provided with a rigid support'24 at its opposite extremities or terminals. This rigid support 24: for the terminals of the beam member 23 may be provided in various ways; but a simple expedient is shown in the drawings and consists in riveting or otherwise fastening the ends of the beam or frame member 23 to the horizontal members of the angled supporting-plates 25, fastened to the transversely-alined end walls 6 of the directly op- .posite hanger-brackets 4:.

The bearing-beam or bearingframe member 23 is provided centrally between its ends with a laterally-expanded socket-box 26. The said socket-box 26 essentially consists of a lower fixed section 27 and a separate detachable complemental cap section 28, having flanged terminals 29, bolted or otherwise fastened to the straight portions of the beam 23, respectively, at opposite sides of the fixed section 27, which is preferably integral with the beam or frame member.

The fixed and cap sections 27 and 28 of the socketbox 26 are provided with the verticallyalined bearing-openings 30, which loosely and pivotally receive the king-pin elements carrier 32.

or studs 31, projected, respectively, from the upper and lower sides of the pivotal axle- This pivotal 'axle-carrier 32 is usually in the form of an elongated sleeve receiving the central portion of the axle and extending the full length of such central portion between the opposite axle-boxes 11. Preferably the axle carrier or sleeve 32 is securely fastened to the axle through the medium of a key or equivalent device 33, providing more intimate connection between the axle and the carrier; but irrespective of whether the axle is fast or loose within the sleeve constituting the carrier 32 it is to be observed that the said sleeve oscillates or swings upon the king-pin elements or studs, and thereby permits the axle to assume different radial positions, according to the radius of the curves upon which the truck is running. The expanded form of the socketbox 26 makes the same of a materially greater width than the diameter of the axle sleeve or carrier 32 and provides throughout the interior of itself ample play for the king-pin member for the axle, (consisting of the axle-carrier and its king-pin 'elements,) whereby the axle "will freely move into a radial position with reference to the curve, and thus have the automatic swing action referred to in the statement of invention. The flexible hangers 18 in their special relation described permit of this free swinging movement or oscillation of the axle to adapt itself to any curve on an absolutely level plane.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described car-truck will be readily apparent to those familiar with the art without further description, and it will also be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a car-truck, the wheel-carrying axle, the truck-frame arranged above the axle and having a fixed bearing member, a king-pin mounting connecting the axle with the bearing member of the frame and comprising means for holding the axle to an oscillation in a horizontal plane, and flexible hangers sustaining the truck-frame from above the axle and having connection with rigid members of the frame at'points below the axle.

2. In a car-truck, the truck-frame having a fixed frame member, the wheel-carrying axle having a central king-pin connection with said frame member, oppositely-located axle-boxes for the portions of the axle respectively at opposite sides of said frame member, a floating bolster arranged over each axlebox, and pendent hangers extended from the bolsters to points of connection, below the axle, with the truck-frame.

3. In a car-truck, the truck-frame having pendent hanger-brackets, a stationary bearing-frame member carried by said brackets and provided with a centrally-located laterally-expanded socket-box having upper and 1 lower sections provided therein with hearing- .openings, a wheel-carrying axle, and the kingpin mounting for said axle consisting of an extended carrying-sleeve receiving the axle and held within the socket-box, said sleeve being provided at the upper and lower sides with king-pin elements or studs engaging the bearing-openings of the socket-box.

4. In a car-truck, the truck-frame having oppositely-located pairs of pendent hangerbrackets, supporting-cleats secured to the transversely-alined brackets, and a bearingframe member fastened at its extremities to the said cleats and provided at a central point with a socket-box having upper and lower bearing-openings, the wheel-carrying axle, and a pivotal axle-carrier consisting of a sleeve held within the socket-box and provided with king-pin elementsor studs engaging the openings of the latter.

5. In a car-truck, the truck-frame having oppositely-located pairs of pendent hangerbrackets and a fixed frame member, the Wheelcarrying axle having a central king-pin connection with said frame member, oppositelylocated axle-boxes for the portions of the axle respectively at opposite sides of said frame member, a floating bolster yieldingly sustained over each axle-box, and flexible hangers extended from the lower ends of the hanger-brackets to opposite points on each bolster.

6. In a car-truck, the truck-frame having oppositely-located pairs of pendent hangerbrackets, and a stationary bearing-frame member rigidly supported at its extremities by the said brackets, the wheel-carrying axle having a king-pin connection with said bearing-frame member centrally between the ends of the latter, oppositely-located boxes for the axle, said boxes being provided at their upper ends with a plurality of guiding-stems, a floating bolster loosely positioned over the guiding-stems of each axle-box, cushioningsprings interposed between "each bolster and the box therebelow, and a pair of hangerchains associated with each bolster and eX- tending from opposite points thereof to the lower extremities of the adjacent pair of hanger-brackets.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presenceof two witnesses.

JOSEPH CARPER nosnon' Witnesses:

GRACE LILLIAN YOUNG, Hno'ron JOSEPH TEPPER. 

